The Effective TeacherChapter 1

James M. Cooper

Do Now

• In your notes answer the following question:– What makes a teacher effective?

Objectives

1. Describe the characteristics of an effective teacher.

2. Explain why reflection on teaching is so important for teacher growth.

3. Describe the reflective decision making model of teaching.

4. Identify important factors that affect instructional decision making.

Effective Teaching

What makes a teacher effective?

• Two critical dimensions of effective teaching: intent and achievement

• Importance of personality

• Need special knowledge and skills

General Areas of Teacher Competence

1. Command of theoretical knowledge about learning and human behavior.

2. Display of attitudes that foster learning and genuine human relationships.

3. Command of knowledge in the subject matter to be taught.

4. Repertoire of teaching skills that facilitate student learning.

5. Personal practical knowledge.

General Areas of Teacher Competence

1. Command of Theoretical Knowledge About Learning and Human Behavior

– Common sense not enough– Theories sometimes not internalized

2. Display of Attitudes That Foster Learning and Genuine Human Relationships

– Attitude– Attitude affect behavior; need for self-knowledge

– Teachers’ attitudes toward themselves– Teacher’s attitudes toward children, high expectations are

important!– Teacher’s attitude toward peers and parents– Teacher’s attitudes toward the subject matter

General Areas of Teacher Competence

3. Command of Knowledge in the Subject Matter to be Taught

– Content knowledge + Pedagogy• Pedagogical content knowledge• Content knowledge

4. Repertoire of Teaching Skills That Facilitate Student Learning

– Teaching skills

5. Personal Practical Knowledge– Unique to each teacher

Talk About Teaching: The Big Ideas

Steps in the activity:

1. Each group will be assigned ONE of the four big ideas to read, highlight main points and discuss.

2. Whole group will count off and jigsaw to new groups that will include representation of all FOUR big ideas.

3. Each person in the new group will share the main points and the Three Point Thinking reflection.

The Big Ideas

1. What constitutes important learning? (p.29-33)

2. What causes learning? (p. 33-36)

3. How are students motivated? (p.36-40)

4. What is intelligence and how do students’ views influence their actions? (p.40-42)

10 minutes:• Highlight the main points from the reading.• Complete Three Point Thinking Handout.

Defining Effective Practice

In order to create the conditions for improved teaching, one must first

define it. Without such a definition of good practice, educators are, in effect, wandering in a swamp.

Charlotte Danielson

Danielson’s Framework for Professional Practice

Danielson divides the complex activity of teaching into twenty-two components clustered into four domains of teaching responsibility:

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

Domain 2: The Classroom Environment

Domain 3: Instruction

Domain 4: Professional Responsibility

A Framework for Teaching:Components of Professional Practice

Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

a.Reflecting on teachingb.Maintaining accurate recordsc.Communicating with familiesd.Participating in a professional

communitye.Growing and developing

professionallyf. Demonstrating professionalism

Domain 3: Instructiona.Communicating with students

b.Using questioning and discussion techniques

c.Engaging students in learningd.Using Assessment in Instruction

e.Demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

a.Demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy

b.Demonstrating knowledge of students

c.Selecting instructional outcomesd.Demonstrating knowledge of

resourcese.Designing coherent instructionf. Designing student assessment

Domain 2: The Classroom Environment

a.Creating an environment of respect and rapport

b.Establishing a culture for learning

c.Managing classroom proceduresd.Managing student behaviore.Organizing physical space

Handout A: Identifying the Domains

1. On your own.

2. Check with a partner.

3. Share whole group.

4. Consensus for all twelve statements?

Importance of Reflective Teaching

Reflective teaching is a teacher’s habit of examining and evaluating his or hers

teaching on a regular basis• Involves both logic and emotion• Occurs in two phases: reflection-on-action,

reflection-in-action• Consider underlying assumptions• Consider moral and ethical issues• Ways to reflect on problems of practice

Model of the Teacher as Reflective Decision Maker

Tools for Reflective Teachers

• Teaching journals

• Video recordings

• Teaching portfolios

• Colleagues